Missing the last train is a real pain for everyone in Tokyo. Most trains' last departures are around 12:30, so if you don't catch that what do you do? You could call a taxi but that will cost you anywhere from $50-$100. You could walk, but that would take forever, and sometimes it's nearly impossible. So most people just camp it out, but where? Well, what business is everywhere, open late, safe, warm, and comfortable?
McDonalds! When you miss the last train, it's one of the best places to go hang out...but not so fast. The minute you rest your head on the table or close your eyes, get ready to be shoulder tapped by a McDonalds employee asking you kindly not to sleep.
I'm sure someday McDonalds will find a way to make money and still allow you to sleep, but until then keep your eyes open and enjoy your Big Mac.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Yoyogi Park
Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, especially for foreigners. So it's really nice to find something free to do. The best thing I have found is to meet with some friends and relax on the grass in Yoyogi Park. It's beautiful at sun down and is one of the few places in the city where you can get back to nature.
Halloween in Japan
A lot of foreign holidays are picked up by Japan and Japanified. Halloween is a great example, it's an excuse for people to dress up and show their creativity. Most people will go to clubs or bars to celebrate with their friends.
Shibuya is already an interesting place, but on Halloween it was so crazy. On my left I saw Power Rangers running past Hachiko and on my right Japanese girl's dressed as witches crossing the scramble.
I went to a brand new club, that opened up on Friday called Sound Vision Museum, where Verbal from M-flo performed.
Shibuya is already an interesting place, but on Halloween it was so crazy. On my left I saw Power Rangers running past Hachiko and on my right Japanese girl's dressed as witches crossing the scramble.
Don Quijote was packed with people buying last minute costumes.
I went to a brand new club, that opened up on Friday called Sound Vision Museum, where Verbal from M-flo performed.
The Land of the Rising Sun
From the top of my building at 6 a.m.
Want to see the sun rise, check this website for times:
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Missing Mexican Meals?
When I lived in San Diego, I would eat Mexican food once or twice a week. Living in Tokyo has really made it hard to fill my cravings, but luckily this year a new restaurant opened up in the Aoyama/Omotesando area.
Libre, has American style burritos and various other Mexican dishes. Inspired by mexican food in San Francisco this place hits the spot. So far it is the best Mexican food I have had in Tokyo.
Libre, has American style burritos and various other Mexican dishes. Inspired by mexican food in San Francisco this place hits the spot. So far it is the best Mexican food I have had in Tokyo.
Paper vs. Plastic
In Tokyo every thing is so expensive, so it's nice to find ways to save money. One way I have found is that when shopping for drinks at the convenient store, always buy the drinks in the paper cartons, you get more drink and it will normally be 50 yen or so cheaper!
These cost around the same, but the one on the right holds double!
Aoyama Gakuin's Trip to Yamanashi
On Friday, the International Exchange Center from my school organized a trip to the Yamanashi prefecture. Yamanashi is a rural mountain area, being there was really refreshing compared to being in the city all the time.
It was about a 2 hour bus ride from our campus to the first location, where we rode a ropeway up a mountain. At the top was a shrine and a view point for Mt. Fuji. We were alloted twenty minutes and then were told to return to the base of the mountain to eat lunch.
Lunch was amazing, and very filling. It consisted of various local dishes and a special noodle dish which was similar to udon.
After lunch we returned on the bus, and drove to a community center type building, to make a kaleidoscope, which was actually very fun. It was also very interesting to see the inner workings of a kaleidoscope.
Then it was back to the buses, where we relocated to a grape vine area. We were allowed to cut grapes off the vine and eat them right away. It was really nice to finally have a decent amount of fruit, because I rarely eat it here because it is too expensive.
Here is a video of the highlights of the trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQFG-WcLGfg
It was about a 2 hour bus ride from our campus to the first location, where we rode a ropeway up a mountain. At the top was a shrine and a view point for Mt. Fuji. We were alloted twenty minutes and then were told to return to the base of the mountain to eat lunch.
(Mt.Fuji)
(The leaves are starting to change)
After lunch we returned on the bus, and drove to a community center type building, to make a kaleidoscope, which was actually very fun. It was also very interesting to see the inner workings of a kaleidoscope.
Then it was back to the buses, where we relocated to a grape vine area. We were allowed to cut grapes off the vine and eat them right away. It was really nice to finally have a decent amount of fruit, because I rarely eat it here because it is too expensive.
Here is a video of the highlights of the trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQFG-WcLGfg
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tokyo Giants at Tokyo Dome
I have always been told to attend a Japanese baseball game, and I am glad I did.
First of all, Tokyo Dome is such a unique and massive stadium, holding roughly 55,000 people at maximum occupancy. For architecture fans it is a must see. Many famous artists have held live events here including Michael Jackson, Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, and Mariah Carey.
Japanese baseball fans are so enthusiastic, it is more fun watching them then actually watching the game. In the cheering sections there is a trumpet and drum player leading chants for each batter up at the plate. The cheers will go on the entire time they are up at bat, finally ending when they are struck out or make it on to a base.
On a sadder note, I do feel very bad for the various beer girls, who are constantly walking around with a mini keg on their bag, sweating in their ridiculous uniforms. (On a happier note, I hear they get paid very well!)
Also outside the park is a small amusement park and shopping mall, which is worth checking out before or after an event.
First of all, Tokyo Dome is such a unique and massive stadium, holding roughly 55,000 people at maximum occupancy. For architecture fans it is a must see. Many famous artists have held live events here including Michael Jackson, Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, and Mariah Carey.
Japanese baseball fans are so enthusiastic, it is more fun watching them then actually watching the game. In the cheering sections there is a trumpet and drum player leading chants for each batter up at the plate. The cheers will go on the entire time they are up at bat, finally ending when they are struck out or make it on to a base.
On a sadder note, I do feel very bad for the various beer girls, who are constantly walking around with a mini keg on their bag, sweating in their ridiculous uniforms. (On a happier note, I hear they get paid very well!)
Also outside the park is a small amusement park and shopping mall, which is worth checking out before or after an event.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Tokyo Rockabilly: Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park around Harajuku station, is an interesting place in itself. It is a quiet escape from the hectic city, a place to enjoy a sunny day or a romantic walk at night. But to make this place more interesting, on Sunday you can see the Tokyo Rockabilly Club.
What is the Tokyo Rockabilly Club?
I am still asking myself that! What I do know is that if you make your way to the entrance of Yoyogi Park on a Sunday you can see men and women dressed in the 1950's sock hop fashion, dancing away to rock music. It is definitely an experience that every person who comes to visit Tokyo should see.
What is the Tokyo Rockabilly Club?
I am still asking myself that! What I do know is that if you make your way to the entrance of Yoyogi Park on a Sunday you can see men and women dressed in the 1950's sock hop fashion, dancing away to rock music. It is definitely an experience that every person who comes to visit Tokyo should see.
In my youtube video you can see them at 3:34
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)